This activity uses geophysical and geochemical data to determine climate in Central America during the recent past and to explore the link between climate (wet periods and drought) and population growth/demise among the Maya. Students use ocean drilling data to interpret climate and to consider the influence of climate on the Mayan civilization.

Scientific investigations usually involve the collection of relevant data, the use of logical reasoning, and the application of imagination in devising hypotheses and explanations to make sense of the collected data.

The earth's climates have changed in the past, are currently changing, and are expected to change in the future, primarily due to changes in the amount of light reaching places on the earth and the composition of the atmosphere. The burning of fossil fuels in the last century has increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which has contributed to Earth's warming.

The world contains a wide diversity of physical conditions, which creates a wide variety of environments: freshwater, marine, forest, desert, grassland, mountain, and others. In any particular environment, the growth and survival of organisms depend on the physical conditions

Teaching Tips

Ideally educator would include information on dating techniques to increase the students' understanding of the scientific process.

About the Science

Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.

Students use real ocean sediment data for their work.

There is some scientific concern that the location of the ocean sediment cores is too far away from and not climatically connected to the Mayan sites. However the overall premise of the activity is still valid.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

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